as in blushing
to develop a rosy facial color (as from excitement or embarrassment)
his face reddened when she flashed him a dazzling smile
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Recent Examples of reddening
His huddles at times resemble a family Sunday supper after the conversation turns to politics – everyone yelling, nobody listening, Izzo’s face reddening and a whiteboard left broken, the innocent victim of all the arguing (though they are rumored to be pre-cut to avoid splintering).
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Warning signs include yellowing within a week of infestation, purpling or reddening of leaves, stunting despite adequate moisture, weakening root systems and patchy areas of thinning or dead grass.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Angine desperately returns to the store, again and again, to get her fix from Malaise, her face reddening from blood just below the surface, a canvas of her awakened desire.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2025
The front lawn falls steeply away from the house and on down to the fence, a garden overgrown with reddening watsonias.
—Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Visible light has been shown to trigger erythema, or skin reddening, in lighter skin.
—Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Warning signs include yellowing within a week of infestation, purpling or reddening of leaves, stunting despite adequate moisture, weakening root systems and patchy areas of thinning or dead grass.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Angine desperately returns to the store, again and again, to get her fix from Malaise, her face reddening from blood just below the surface, a canvas of her awakened desire.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2025
The front lawn falls steeply away from the house and on down to the fence, a garden overgrown with reddening watsonias.
—Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Visible light has been shown to trigger erythema, or skin reddening, in lighter skin.
—Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reddening
Verb
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Other videos show the Finder app reimagined with cutesy, anime-style eyes, blushing at the camera, and someone opening a pink blush compact sporting the Apple logo.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Only on the occasional night out would the former publicist embellish her features by blushing her lips in a ruby red hue — sometimes glossy, sometimes matte.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Keep the toilet lid closed to reduce the spread of odors when flushing.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
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Though compact, it's equipped with storage space, a vanity sink, a flushing toilet, and a shower/bath, which is always a nice bonus in a tiny house.—
Adam Williams
March 10,
New Atlas,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The sparklers weren't the only thing dazzling; Hudson finished off the look with a glowing glam that featured a dewy complexion, shimmery eyeshadow, black liner, and a pink lip.—
Tessa Petak,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
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Nighttime is ideal for viewing the molten lava from the Halemaʻumaʻu crater, and the best viewing spots of the glowing crater include the Kilauea Overlook, Waldron Ledge and the Devastation Trail parking area.—
Ben Davidson,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reddening. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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